Somnia CEO Advocates for Increase Patient

Safety During Administration of

Anesthesia for Endoscopic Procedures

American Journal of Gastroenterology Editorial reinforces the importance of anesthesiologists administering anesthesia as opposed to gastroenterologists.

New Rochelle, NY July 12, 2004 -- In an effort to raise awareness on a potentially harmful patient care issue, Somnia President and CEO Marc E. Koch, MD, MBA and Division Director Clifford M. Gevirtz, MD, MPH speak out on the importance of utilizing Anesthesiologists during the administration of propofol. Propofol, which is also sold under the trade name Diprivan, is a potentially dangerous medication that can induce a light form of anesthesia or, in higher doses, render a patient unconscious. It is commonly used during ambulatory surgery including endoscopic procedures.

In an editorial published in the July, 2004 issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Dr. Koch and Dr.Gevirtz point out the fact that Propofol, in the hands of inexperienced or untrained medical personnel, can be hazardous. Anesthesiologists have completed medical school and a special three-year residency where they acquire complex and special skills that can be marshaled when using potent medications such as propofol. In front of this didactic and clinical backdrop, its safe use and the ability to rescue a patient from misadventure become second nature.

Conversely, other medical specialists such as gastroenterologists and surgeons have not completed a residency in anesthesiology. They are not as familiar with powerful anesthetic medications, and the treatment of anesthesia-related complications. Because Propofol is a fast-acting sedative with unpredictable effects, it is imperative that an individual specifically trained in the administration of anesthesia be responsible for the patient sedation.

In recent months, the administration of anesthesia by non-anesthesiologists has received increased attention and raised safety, economic, and specialty turf issues. The demand for better analgesia and increased comfort during medical procedures has grown dramatically. Many professionals are asking whether other medical specialties or nurses can perform the function of anesthesiologists. "In short, the answer is NO," said Marc E. Koch, MD, MBA. "Patients should accept nothing less than an anesthesiologist, a medical doctor who has finished medical school and has several years of additional anesthesia training. As medical professionals, we have an obligation to ourselves and our profession to ensure that we are providing the utmost level of care to our patients."

Having authored more than a dozen articles and book chapters addressing the clinical and administrative aspects of office-based and ambulatory anesthesia, Koch possesses first hand knowledge of the requirements and skill set necessary for the effective administration of anesthesia during endoscopic procedures. Dr. Koch earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He completed his internship at Winthrop University Hospital and his residency in anesthesiology at the Yale University School of Medicine. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Anesthesiology and certified by the American Board of Pain Medicine.

Dr. Clifford Gevirtz served as Chief of Anesthesiology at the Bronx VA Medical Center and Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Mt. Sinai Hospital and School of Medicine. His distinguished career has included clinical and teaching positions at New York Medical College, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York University and Bellevue Hospital. He received his medical degree from Tulane University and completed his anesthesia residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and anesthesia fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, the renowned teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.

Somnia, Inc. is a management service organization specializing in office-based and ambulatory anesthesia services. We are dedicated to providing high quality, efficient and exceptional anesthesia services. For more information, please contact us at 1.877.4SOMNIA (1.877.476.6642)

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